www.finessehygiene.com - Sport Mouthguards


Mouth Protection
Sports injuries often include damage to the teeth. Many sports today strongly recommend mouthguard protection. There are several mouthguards available for athletes.
Examples of sports where mouthguard protection would be smart: Acrobatics basketball boxing
bowling ...... JUST KIDDING!!
football gymnastics handball ice or indoor hockey
karate lacrosse martial arts racquetball
ringette rugby skateboarding skiing
skydiving snowboarding soccer surfing
volleyball waterpolo weightlifting wrestling
Player Compliance: Depends on how successful the coach and parents are in convincing the players to wear the mouthguards during all practices, competitions and games. Fit and comfort are extremely important in getting the players to wear them to prevent injuries to teeth, jaws and skull (concussions). Store-bought Mouthguards: Mouthguards purchased from a store are generic and fit small, medium or large mouths. Most people have very different sizes and shapes of mouths. Protection and comfort are very limited with these types of mouthguards. Speech is difficult and oxygen uptake is restricted. Boil-and-bite models can work for some athletes. Often while processing these types to fit an athlete's mouth, the mouth can get burned or cut. Many parents have experienced this situation. Often the poor fit encourages the athlete to chew the mouthguard, necessitating purchasing several mouthguards over one season. Custom-fitted Mouthguards: A quick visit to Finesse will allow you to be "fitted" for a custom-fitted mouthguard. An impression (mould) is taken of the upper teeth and a mouthguard is fabricated that fits the mouth perfectly. "Proform" mouthguards provide superior protection not only because of the fit. They are also double laminated for superior strength and shock dispersion (preventing more concussions), Speech and oxygen intake are improved with this style of mouthguard.
FAQ What if my son/daughter has lost teeth? Mouthguards made at Finesse accommodate loose and erupting teeth. What about orthodontic appliances? Finesse can make mouthguards to fit over appliances or braces. Depending on tooth movement, a new mouthguard will eventually need to be made.
What happens if we lose the mouthguard or the dog chews it?!?! Finesse keeps the teeth molds on file, just call us.
How do we clean the mouthguard? Rinse the mouthguard with cold water or with an alcohol-free mouthwash (ie. Crest Pro Rinse) before and after each use. Avoid contact with hot water. Since the mouth contains bacteria and plaque, it is important to clean your mouthguard after each use. Clean it with an old toothbrush using cool water and antibacterial hand or dish soap, then rinse thoroughly. How should a mouthguard be stored when not being used? Store and transport the mouthguard in a firm, perforated container to prevent damage and permit air circulation. Bacteria love to thrive and multiply in a moist environment therefore do not close the mouthguard container until the freshly washed mouthguard is dry. Avoid high temperatures or direct sunlight to minimize distortion.
More Mouthguard Use and Care Info Mouthguards are for recreational, professional, or competitive athletes and should be worn in practices as well as games. Initially wear the mouthguard during training or practices in order to adapt to the new feel of the guard in the mouth. Do not chew on or alter the mouthguard as this will affect the fit and possibly damage it or decrease its effectiveness. Custom-made mouthguards are made for that particular time when the cast of the dentition was taken. Check the condition of the mouthguard occasionally and replace it if it has holes or tears, becomes loose, or irritates the teeth or gums. If the mouthguard absorbs a strong blow, it may need to be replaced to maintain a proper fit and protection. Due to pressure from the teeth, and alternate wetting and drying that occur between uses and during cleaning, mouthguards wear out over time. The material deteriorates and loses relience, reducing effectiveness. Therefore, they should be replaced every two to three years. Earlier replacement is recommended if they become cracked, torn, and split, or if fit deteriorates, significant wear appears, or there is unsatisfactory retention.
Bring the mouthguard to each dental hygiene visit to have it evaluated by the dental hygienist. And finally, DO NOT SHARE YOUR MOUTHGUARD WITH OTHERS! ...... NOT KIDDING!!